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Roger Ailes

Roger Ailes was an American television executive and political consultant best known as the founding president, chairman, and CEO of Fox News.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Roger Ailes was an American television executive and political consultant best known as the founding president, chairman, and CEO of Fox News. He also advised Republican politicians and campaigns, including those of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. He left Fox News in 2016 amid sexual harassment allegations and died in 2017.

Early life and career

Roger Eugene Ailes was born on May 15, 1940, in Warren, Ohio. He began his career in television production and later shifted to political media consulting.

Fox News leadership

Ailes was hired to build Fox News and became its founding president, chairman, and CEO. He led the network from its launch in 1996 until his departure in July 2016.

Political consulting

Ailes served as a media consultant to Republican presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. He also worked as a political consultant on Rudy Giuliani’s 1989 New York City mayoral campaign.

Departure from Fox News

Ailes stepped down from Fox News in July 2016 after multiple sexual harassment allegations were made against him by female employees. He died on May 18, 2017, at age 77 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Key facts

  • Ailes was the founding president of Fox News Channel, which launched in 1996.
  • He served as a media consultant to Republican presidents Nixon, Reagan, and George H. W. Bush.
  • Ailes stepped down from Fox News in July 2016 after allegations of sexual harassment.
  • He died on May 18, 2017, at age 77.
  • Before Fox News, he worked in television production and media consulting.
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Canadian context

Roger Ailes influenced North American cable news and conservative media strategy, developments that affected Canadian television news coverage and political communication practices.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Roger Ailes?
Roger Ailes was an American television executive and political consultant best known for founding Fox News Channel.
What was Roger Ailes known for?
He was known for building Fox News into a major cable news network and for advising Republican politicians and campaigns.
When was Roger Ailes born?
He was born on May 15, 1940, in Warren, Ohio.
When did Roger Ailes die?
He died on May 18, 2017, in Palm Beach, Florida.
Why did Roger Ailes leave Fox News?
He left Fox News in July 2016 after allegations of sexual harassment by female employees.
Did Roger Ailes work in politics?
Yes. He was a media consultant for Republican presidents and campaigns, including Nixon, Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Rudy Giuliani.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-Ailes
    Supports: Birth, death, and role as founding president of Fox News Channel.
  2. Television Academy — https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/roger-ailes
    Supports: Career in television, Fox News leadership, political consulting, and death.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ailes
    Supports: Fox News leadership, political consulting, and departure amid harassment allegations.
  4. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/roger-ailes
    Supports: Early career, Fox News leadership, and death details.
  5. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/ailes-roger
    Supports: Fox News founding and significance in cable news.